 MONTREAL — Federal Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff told Jewish university students that he understands their pain when Israel is condemned unfairly, but he urged them to “not close down” and to reach out to those whose opinions differ from theirs – although he drew the line at those who acuse who equate Israel with apartheid.
Michael Ignatieff
Ignatieff was the guest at a March 13 Shabbat dinner hosted by the Hillel students association, part of a series of activities highlighting Israel that Hillel is sponsoring on campuses during March in the wake of Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW).
A week earlier, Ignatieff published an article in the National Post condemning IAW as unfair criticism because it portrays the very existence of the Jewish state as illegitimate.
He echoed that opinion at the dinner, saying that accusing Israel of practising apartheid is not only false but a “delegitimization” of the state, and therefore unacceptable.
He said it’s the responsibility of university administrations to ensure that those students who support Israel can do so comfortably, and of elected officials to speak up, adding that writing his article “did not take much courage.”
Ignatieff, a former academic, told the students that in a multicultural society, they must accept that there are going to be people who do not agree with them and that “intellectual freedom works both ways.”
He said he realized this might be hard for young Jews to accept criticism of Israel when they bear the knowledge that their people were “incinerated” for being Jews.
In any event, Ignatieff said he doesn’t believe Jewish students will turn inward, because the Jewish people have continued to be open to others, despite having been persecuted through their history.
His basic message, he said, is, “You are not alone.”
Ultimately, he said his concern is that Canada “work” despite the challenges of a diverse population.
In other parts of his off-the-cuff talk, he deplored the “state-sanctioned anti-Semitism” of the Iranian and Venezuelan governments.
During a question period, he declined to outline any specific policies on Jewish settlements or the status of Jerusalem. He said that the resolution of those issues is up to the people directly involved, Palestinians and Israelis.
Canada can only “facilitate” the process, he said.
One student asked under what conditions the Liberal party would condemn an Israeli government action, and why he should vote Liberal instead of Conservative. Essentially, Ignatieff responded, the Liberal party’s policy on the Arab-Israeli conflict has not changed in 50 or 60 years, which is that it favours a two-state solution.
Palestinians, like Israelis, must also feel secure within their final borders, he added.
Personally, he said, he has grappled with the problems of the Middle East for 40 years.
Ignatieff was clear that Canada must not deal with Hamas because of its terrorism, but it must help rebuild Gaza because it is not in Israel’s interest to have a “devastated” neighbour where more radicalism can arise.
Ignatieff opened his talk by expressing a profound admiration for Jews’ attachment to their traditions and for Jewish values. He deplored any expression of anti-Semitism.
About 200 people attended the dinner held at the downtown Opus Hotel, which was co-sponsored by Liberal Concordia, the Quebec-Israel Committee and National Jewish Campus Life. Also among the guests were Montreal Liberal MPs Irwin Cotler, Marc Garneau and Marlene Jennings, and Senator Yoine Goldstein.
In introducing Ignatieff, Samantha Banks, president of Hillel Montreal, said that many Hillel members “endure a constant struggle against those who seek to demonize the State of Israel. For those of us who choose to speak out in defence of the Jewish homeland, the importance of public support and encouragement from a Canadian leader of Mr. Ignatieff’s status cannot be overstated.
“Through his outspoken criticism of IAW, Mr. Ignatieff has shown tremendous courage and extraordinary compassion in advocating for the right of Jewish students to enjoy a campus life free of harassment and intimidation.”
A small group of protesters, identifying themselves as members of Young Jews for Social Justice, picketed outside the hotel before the dinner. They handed out flyers criticizing Ignatieff for supporting “the Israeli government’s violations of basic Palestinian human rights” and “pandering to right-wing Jewish groups like B’nai Brith and the Quebec-Israel Committee, which don’t represent all Jews.”
|
